NFL Week 1 Picks: Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos

The Baltimore Ravens have covered the number in their last five season openers, which is important to consider when making your Week 1 NFL picks, as they prepare to take on the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Sept. 5 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Sports bettors will find that the Ravens are 8.5-point road underdogs in the pro football odds (courtesy of SBR Forum), while the total stands at 49.5 in the market.

Let's take a closer look at this AFC matchup from a betting perspective, while offering up an against-the-spread pick along the way.

Baltimore Ravens

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The Baltimore Ravens earned a 38-35 overtime victory over the Denver Broncos as 9.5-point road underdogs in last season's AFC divisional round, with quarterback Joe Flacco throwing for 331 yards and three touchdowns.

NFL handicappers will find that the Ravens are 11-5 against the spread in their last 16 games in September.

Denver Broncos

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The Denver Broncos were obviously disappointed by getting knocked out of last season's AFC playoffs by the Baltimore Ravens, considering they picked up a 34-17 victory as three-point road favorites against them in Week 15.

Quarterback Peyton Manning will have plenty of options to throw to in the passing game, with Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker combining for 297 catches and 29 touchdowns in 2012.

Prediction

I'm going to recommend that readers back the Baltimore Ravens as one of their early Week 1 NFL picks, as they've gone 8-2-1 against the spread in their last 11 overall meetings with the Denver Broncos.